Apparatus for treating shucked oysters



Jan. 1, 1929. 1,696,962

J. J. MAY ET AL APPARATUS FOR TREATING SHUCKED OYSTERS Filed Sept. 1926 2. Sheets-Sheet 1 Patented Jan. 1, 1929.

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JOHN J. MAY AND FRANK J. SI-IUTZ, OF BALTEMORE, MARYLAND, ASSIGNORS TO ZASTROW MACHINE COMPANY INC., 01? BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, A CORPORATION OF MARYLAND.

APPARATUS FOR TREATING SI-IUGKED OYSTERS.

Application filed. September 2, 1926. Serial No. 133,096.

This invention relates to an improved apparatus for treating shucked oysters.

It has become a recognized fact that oysters, which must be removed from the bottoms of waters, mostly by dredging, carry with them dirt and substances which are regarded as, and sometimes are, unhealthy when taken into the human system, and the object of the prescnt invention is to provide an improved apparatus for treating and cleaning shucked oysters in bulk whereby to remove injurious matter or substances therefrom.

The present invention therefore has for its objects to provide an improved apparatus to receive the oysters, which apparatus may be rocked or tilted to permit such matter and particles as rise orfloat to the surface to be rapidly drained off; to provide a shape to the apparatus that will avoid angles or corners whereby to facilitate the removal of the oysters therefrom by scoops or bails, and to provide improved means in the apparatus to effect an agitation of the oysters by a blast which will spread the gills of the oysters and enable impure substances to be removed therefrom.

With these, and other objects in view, the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein,-

Fig. 1, shows the improved apparatus in side elevation.

Fig. 2, illustrates the same in vertical cross section.

Fig. 3, shows, on a smaller scale, a sectional plan view to show the arrangement of perforated plates therein.

Fig. 4, illustrates an enlarged sectional detail taken on the line t& of Fig. 8 to show how the circular drum is held in place in the apparatus, and

Fig. 5, shows a sectional plan through the apparatus, the section being taken on the line 55 of Fig. 2, but on a smaller scale.

Referring to the drawings the numeral 10, designates a circular tank or receptacle having a bottom 11 with an -upturned annular flange 12 through which rivets 13, are passed to effect a ti ht and permanent joint with the tank.

The tank or receptacle is provided at diametrically opposite sides with trunnions 1 1, which latter are hung in vertical bracketbearings 15, whereby the tank may be rocked or tilted.

On the interior of the tank and above the rip-turned flange 12 of the bottom, there is in this instance, an annular inturned-flange or support 16, which is shown as formed by an an gle-iron whose up-turned flange 17, seats against and is secured to the tank-wall by rivets 18. 7

Above the annular flange 16, there is provided in this instance, another inturned annular flange 19., which latter is also formed from an angle-iron with one of its legs secured to the tank-wall by rivets21.

By reference to Figs. 2 and 4 of the drawings, the two annular int-urned flanges 16 and 19 are clearly shown, and it will be noted that of these two flanges, the lower flange 16 is the broader and extends inwardly into the tank for a greater distance than the upper flange 19.

On the lower broader inturned flange, there is seated an annular vertically-arranged ring or band 22, which latter has a top plate 23,- the plate in this instance having corrugations extending diametrically across the ring and being closed at their ends by being depressed 4 below the top-edge of said ring.

The ring with its circular top plate is supported on the broader lower flange, and the upper edge of the ring and the top surface of the plate have position in a plane slightly below, the under side of the upper narrower flange 19 so that a plurality of retaining bars 24 may be wedged beneath the upperflange and the upper edge of the ring, which bars extend across the upper side of the plate 23 as clearly shown in Figs/8 and 4 of the drawings and thus hold the ring down on the lower broader flange 16. l

The top plate 23 on with a series of perforations 25 for a purpose that will presently be explained.

It will thus be seen that the ring 22, having its upper side closed by the top plate 23 and the ring is provided.

its under side open, is seated on the lower flange 16, and forms a chamber 26 beneath the top plate and ring and above the bottom 11 of the tank, for a purpose to be explained.

In the chamber 26, we provide a pipe 27, which has a connection 28 that extends through the wall of the tank so that a hose or pipe (not shown) may be attached thereto. The pipe 26 in the tank is provided with a series of perforations 29 disposed along the under half thereof so that a fluid applied to the pipe from an external source may be directed from the perforations toward the bottom of the chamber.

A capped drain connection 30 extends through the lower part of the tank and opens into the chamber 26 close to the surface of the bottom so that all liquids may be drained from the tank and chamber and a complete flushing of the same may thus be effected.

0n the upper narrower flange 19 in the tank above the ring and its top plate, we provide a circular disk 31 having a series of perforations 32 therein.

Operation: lVhen treating shucked oysters or any other foods or substances that are to be washed or cleaned, a quantity of the oysters, say forty to sixty gallons, is placed in the tank and suflicient water is added to permit any particles of dirt or other substances that are freed to float.

Air, or water, if sufiicient pressure is available, is admitted through pipe 27 and its perforations 9.9 into the chambe' 26 and this fluid, air or water is directed against the bot-- tom 11 and acts to agitate and form currents which travel up under the ring 22 and through the perforations 25 in the circular top plate 23, and then through the perforated disk 31, on which the oysters or other substance is or are sustained.

By thus scattering or spreading the fluid of air or water and directing the currents through the perforated plates to the oysters, the currents will be distributed all around the tank and thus act upon the entire bulk of oysters.

The air or water currents passing up through the bulk of the oysters in the tank agitates the latter and spreads the gills thereof so that dirt and particles of matter collected on the oysters are washed out. These particles will rise or float to the surface of the liquid in the tank and will also a quantity of scum which collects on the top surface of the liquid.

After a few minutes of this treatment, the tank may be tilted on its trunnions and the top surface of the liquid run off, carrying with it the scum and particles that have been washed out from the oysters.

lVhen the treatment has been completed, the fluid will be cut-off and the capped drain connection 30 may be opened so that the liquids may be drained off from the bottom.

The tank may then be again tilted and the another support above the lower support,

the upper support being narrower than the lower support, a perforated structure sup ported from the lower support and of a size to be lifted up through and above the narrower upper support. a removable perforated plate on the narrower upper support, and means for supplying fluid under pressure to the bottom of the tank below the lower support.

2. The combination with a circular tank having a bottom, of a lower support in the tank above the bottom, a second upper support also in the tank above the lower support, a ring having a. perforated top plate said ring being seated on the lower support with the top plate thereof below the upper support, a. removable perforated disk on the upper support and means for supplying fluid under pressure to the tank below the ring.

3. The combination with a circular tank having a bottom of means for sustaining the tank so the same may be tilted, an annular inturned flange-support near the bottom of the tank, a second annular flange-support in the tank above the lower support said second flanged-support being narrower than the lower support, a ring seated on the lower support and having a top plate with perforations therein said top plate being elow the narrower flange support, bars extending across the tank between the ring and the nar rower fian 'e-support to hold the ring down on the lower support, a perforated circular disk on the narrower support and means for supplying fluid under pressure to the tank beneath the ring.

In testimony whereof we affix our signatures.

J OHN J. MAY. FRANK J. SHUTZ. 

